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Russ Roberts
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Unlearning to Fly: Navigating the Turbulence and Bliss of Growing Up in the Sky, A Memoir Paperback – December 21, 2020

by Russ Roberts (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 202 ratings
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In his equally fascinating and poignant memoir, Russ Roberts reveals how his steadfast love of airplanes guided him through a tumultuous childhood and empowered him to set the course for his life.

"A thoughtful and detailed remembrance of a life in flight. In Roberts’ vivid telling of his life story, he was always a pilot at heart." (Kirkus Reviews)

He will make you feel the awe of sitting in the cockpit, the wonder of taking flight, and the unbridled joy of achieving goals. Despite a disqualifying impairment and "the family burning flames of alcohol," he will be an airline pilot. Nothing matters more. As he grows up, the author immerses himself in the world of pilots, hangars, and cockpits. He soaks up every gem of aviation wisdom his father and other pilots impart, earning his pilot’s license before he can drive on the road and, at seventeen, becoming the youngest licensed flight instructor in the U.S.

Later, his story flies you from the skies of Alaska to America's East Coast and on to Greenland, Iceland, and Europe; the big dream of becoming an airline pilot remains elusive. Finally, on a stressful cross-Atlantic flight in a single-engine airplane with a broken compass and iced-over wings, Roberts realizes that further personal and career growth requires pushing aside beliefs he learned in his formative years. He must think for himself, take risks, and form his own ideas. He must unlearn ... to fly.
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  1. Reading age
    12 - 18 years
  2. Print length
    332 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  5. Publication date
    December 21, 2020
  6. ISBN-10
    1735641308
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1735641300
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is truly the only book I have ever read that describes so clearly what it must be like to sit in the cockpit of an airplane on the runway, at the controls, as if I were there myself, and take off, and the thrill of it, the wonder of it... it made me want to do it too... something I have never thought much about. It was thrilling and made me want to fly." -Joanne Rideout, host and creator of radio's The Ship Report

"Russ Roberts is the only person I know who knew... exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up, and then realized that dream. Unlearning to Fly... serves as a literary metaphor for his sometimes rocky relationship with his father. This is a good read."
-Chet Burgess, former CNN Executive Producer of Interactive Programming

From the Back Cover

Nothing matters more to young Russ Roberts than becoming an airline pilot, a dream he shares with his father, an airplane mechanic and light-plane pilot.

Roberts immerses himself in the world of pilots and cockpits and hangars. He soaks up every drop of aviation wisdom his father and other pilots impart, earning his pilot's license before he can drive and, at seventeen, becoming the youngest licensed flight instructor in the U.S.

The big dream, though, remains elusive. Finally, on a stressful trans-Atlantic flight in a single-engine airplane with a broken compass and iced-up wings, Roberts realizes that further growth, both personal and career, requires pushing aside beliefs he learned in his formative years. He must think for himself, take risks, form his own ideas.

He must unlearn to fly.

In his memoir, Unlearning to Fly: Navigating the Turbulence and Bliss of Growing Up in the Sky, Roberts reveals how airplanes were the thread that stitched together a tumultuous childhood and empowered him to set the course for his own life. Equally fascinating and poignant, Roberts' memoir will make you feel the awe of sitting in the cockpit, the wonder of taking flight, and the unbridled joy of achieving goals.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holt & Grooms Co. Ltd.
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 21, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 332 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1735641308
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1735641300
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.8 ounces
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 18 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 202 ratings

About the author

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Russ Roberts

Russ Roberts

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Airline pilot, broadcaster, sailor, speaker, and now author, Captain Russ Roberts is not so much an adventurer as a lifetime collector of experiences and stories.

Roberts flew the Atlantic alone in single-engine airplanes, sailed the Northwest Passage over the Canadian arctic, helped blow up his boyhood backyard with dynamite, was the youngest licensed flight instructor in America, shared a VW with a moose, and commanded airliners around the world.

In his first book, "Unlearning to Fly: Navigating the Turbulence and Bliss of Growing Up in the Sky," Russ Roberts tells a heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking story of how airplanes were the golden thread that secured an otherwise turbulent start to life.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
202 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story captivating and engaging, with one review highlighting its personal account of a life of flying. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its readability and writing quality.

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17 customers mention "Story quality"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story captivating and engaging throughout, with one customer highlighting it as a personal account of a life of flying.

"Enjoyable for the flying scenarios. Difficult to read the authors struggle to succeed against a chaotic upbringing." Read more

"Fun to follow someone whose history of learning to fly is similar to mine...." Read more

"...Full of interesting stories. Plenty of detail for aviation enthusiasts, but nothing over the top for those not in the industry..." Read more

"...it is well written and since I have flown for over 40, the specifics were refreshing, I’m now 83 years old with 6500 hours in my log book, I have..." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a very good read, with one describing it as an unflinching memoir.

"...I enjoyed the book, though I thought the Seventh Day Adventist parts detracted from the story as did the reflections on parental violence...." Read more

"An excellent, unflinching memoir of a rather unusual life...." Read more

"Great book, especially as it is a true story. Robert’s analogies are vivid . I felt like I was next to him in his life adventures." Read more

"...It is that good. Thanks for a great story Russ! 👍👍👍👍👍..." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"...Well-written and -edited. Full of interesting stories...." Read more

"I enjoyed this bookmark it is well written and since I have flown for over 40, the specifics were refreshing, I’m now 83 years old with 6500 hours..." Read more

"Well written with knowledgeable facts and obvious intelligence...." Read more

"...Interesting how variably some kids can be treated. Always very readable with no boring bits." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Christopher John Parkyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars The book brought back memories of my early career in flight. Great story of overcoming adversity.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyable for the flying scenarios. Difficult to read the authors struggle to succeed against a chaotic upbringing.
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  • Tom Thomas
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun history of learning to fly.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fun to follow someone whose history of learning to fly is similar to mine. I enjoyed the book, though I thought the Seventh Day Adventist parts detracted from the story as did the reflections on parental violence. Still the story reflects back to experiences similar to mine, from an aviation perspective.
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  • Reddfoxx
    5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, unusual memoir
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent, unflinching memoir of a rather unusual life. Growing up with a not-so-successful pilot father, in a strict religion, moving around the country. Dreaming of flying, getting involved where he could, and finally becoming an airline pilot (right at the end of the book; could there be another coming?) Well-written and -edited. Full of interesting stories. Plenty of detail for aviation enthusiasts, but nothing over the top for those not in the industry (plus down to earth explanations of anything technical.) I was a bit sad when it was over, always a sign of a good book.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Elvin P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this bookmark it is well written and since I have flown for over 40, the specifics were refreshing, I’m now 83 years old with 6500 hours in my log book, I have owned several different airplanes, the first one a Cessna 172, Beechcraft, 3 Sarasotas, a twin engine Piper Chieftain with Colemill conversation, the last one a Cessna 414, pressurized twin with Ram conversation.
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  • Matthew
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a ride!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Oh my, where to begin? He spins a hell of a yarn, enjoyable to the bitter end. So much of his feelings growing up were familiar to me. I also grew up with the knowledge that airline pilots and fighter pilots were certified Demi gods, a hallowed species that only the greatest could apply.
    Then I became one and that bubble burst.
    I also knew some of the characters and places, which added to the books charm. Hubert Compton underwrote my insurance for years until I sold my plane.
    A fantastic story, Russ! I give it a solid 5 stars.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Well written with knowledgeable facts and obvious intelligence. Held my interest but someone with the same history of growing up in aviation I'm sure would connect more. Definitely would recommend it to my pilot friends.
    One person found this helpful
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  • K.run
    3.0 out of 5 stars I was sad to see it end
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Great book, especially as it is a true story. Robert’s analogies are vivid . I felt like I was next to him in his life adventures.
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  • Stan T.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for aviation buffs
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A very interesting and true story of a young boy's desire to be an airline pilot, and how he was able to achieve his dream. I'm hoping Russ will write another book about his years as an airline pilot, as it will almost complete his life's story. I am not an avid reader, but I read this book in less than 2 days. It is that good. Thanks for a great story Russ! 👍👍👍👍👍
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Client Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
    Reviewed in France on April 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book interested me because it was a true memoir., however the humour and patbos of the account were rivetting painting a fascinatiing insight into family life, religion and an unconventional american childhood
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